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WRS R4-7 report: Why do we call it ass fault?

20.02.2023 - WRS France (416.34km distance)

To the surprise of many, Foix Acosta led after day 1, establishing themselves as a potential tarmac specialist. It wouldn't last, as a lot of little errors on stage 7 accumulated and dropped them out of 1st. Nonetheless, Acosta would podium. Meanwhile, an early advantage gained on Cels in stage 2 proved to be decisive for Hunter, and they won their 4th rally out of 4.

1st: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, 4:13:52.889
2nd: V. Cels/V. Markov, +10.431
3rd: F. Acosta/H. Sunny +39.770

WRS Belgium (182.66km distance)

No major flash points in the tour of Flanders, but some great battles against the clock. Acosta couldn't replicate their France form, so 3rd was contested between Zatacka and Zhuk, with the latter winning by 3 seconds. As for 1st, Cels finally turned things around and won, reassuring neutral followers that the season isn't going to be an anti-climax.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 1:51:25.900
2nd: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, +08.825
3rd: J. Zhuk/Y. Ghaleb, +50.163

WRS Greece (380.28km distance)

Zatacka became the latest driver to fall victim of a tyre mix up on day 1, and this meant that by day 2, Zhuk was well on course for back to back podiums... until they retired on stage 12. I wish the rally reports went into detail regarding why competitors have to retire, as I assume it was a crash but don't know for certain.

Cels and Hunter traded the lead multiple times, but ultimately Cels was significantly quicker on day 4 and secured their 2nd win.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 3:44:43.526
2nd: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, +28.724
3rd: A. Rezervists/B. Kuncl, +04:05.776

WRS Portugal (280.18km distance)

Whilst Zatacka had salvaged 4th in the previous event, they could not salvage this one; DNF on stage 5, and now their grip on 3rd in the championship was in jeopardy. Rezervists was perhaps lucky not to join them, with several major errors throughout the rally compromising their quest for the podium.

Aside from Hunter winning stage 1, Cels led this rally from start to finish, making it a hat trick of wins and a much closer championship battle for the 2nd half of the season.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 2:47:21.278
2nd: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, +17.644
3rd: J. Zhuk/Y. Ghaleb, +02:20.462

So at the midway point of the season, here's the overall standings:

Hunter 154
Cels 139
Zatacka 84
Rezervists 84
Zhuk 72
Acosta 58
Szasz II 44
Ciani 38